Norway Health Personnel Plan 2040 consultations

Norway is undergoing a consultation process regarding the Health Personnel Plan 2040, a strategy intended to address labor shortages and improve resource efficiency in the healthcare and care services sectors.

During parliamentary hearings, the organization Spekter has called for political clarification regarding overtime regulations. Anne Turid Wikdahl, development director at Spekter, warned that failing to address overtime pay for part-time employees could undermine goals to reduce part-time employment. She cited a survey suggesting that changes to regulations could lead approximately 540,000 full-time workers to consider moving to part-time roles.

Other professional organizations are also submitting responses to the plan. The Norwegian Acupuncture Association emphasized the clinical expertise of acupuncturists and their role in referring patients to the formal health system, noting they currently lack formal authorization. Meanwhile, the Norwegian Osteopath Federation criticized the plan for focusing too narrowly on certain therapists, advocating for the inclusion of all authorized professionals specializing in musculoskeletal issues to ensure better task distribution.